American Newbie, Please Help!

lovexkate · Oct 9, 2015

Hi everyone! I'm a longtime lurker, but haven't posted since I was a lot younger. I'm currently a college student from the U.S. studying abroad in London, however I'm planning on visiting Paris for a few days during a free travel week. I've purchased a one-day, two park pass for DLRP, and I have a few questions. I feel like all of these questions could get answered by going very deep hunting, but frankly it's easier if I just have them all answered in one place! I've been to WDW at least 25 times, but never anywhere else. I'm going with a close friend who's currently studying abroad in Paris who loves Disney almost as much as I do. SO. Here are my questions:
-I'll be there on a Tuesday in mid-October, what should I expect for crowds?
-What should I expect for weather?
-What are the BIG differences between DLRP and WDW that I should try to see and appreciate? I know it's different but I don't want to make time to do things assuming they'll be different experiences and then have it end up being the exact same ride.
-What are character interactions like and where/how do I find face characters?
-Anything big I should plan on running and getting a Fastpass for?
-Similarly, what's the Fastpass situation like?
-What's the best/cheapest way to get from Paris into DLRP?
-Finally, they speak both French and English, correct? Like I said, my friend is studying in Paris so she's fluent in French but I'd love to be able to talk to people if I can.
Thanks so much everyone! Sorry if this is terribly obnoxious, but I've known the DIS to be wonderful in the past and I'm hoping that you'll take pity on this poor American college student!

goofy4tink · Oct 10, 2015

Bumping you up so that, hopefully, some kind-hearted DISer will answer you perfectly understandable questions. Right guys????

Ms Poppins · Oct 10, 2015

Hi, I'm just back and spent the last day putting up my trip report, you'll be able to find some tips there if you have time to read it.

What date are you visiting? If it's the 27th, the parks are likely to be very busy as its the UK school holiday week.

I've not been to wdw so can't compare but I've read that most people consider dlp big thunder mountain to be the best of all parks. Fast passes are the old ticket method, go to the ride and you'll be given a time slot to return.

Alice maze in fantasy land is unique to dlp, space mountain is very different to wdw and more like Aerosmith. You can go inside the castle and upstairs to see the sleeping beauty story. You can also visit the dragon under the castle.

In the Studios Toy Story Playland is nicely themed and the new Ratatoullie ride is fantastic. Use the single rider line here.

Check out www.dlpguide.com where you'll find info on the rides and parks.

Everyone speaks English or will understand you.

I think the train is the best way from Paris to dlp, the station is right next to the parks. Sorry u don't know exact details.

The parks are right next to each other and you can easily park hop within minutes.

Get there early. The parks open at 10 but gates open at 9:30 so you'll be able to get into Main St or the Studios for opening.

If do studios first if you want to do Ratatoullie or Crush, another coaster. Then spend rest of your time in the main park.

Character meets will be printed on the programme that you can collect at the main entrance, but they will be busy. I'm not sure I'd bother with them for a single day visit.

Hope you enjoy the visit and aren't put off by some of the refurbished going on. It's a really pretty park

Ms Poppins · Oct 10, 2015

Forgot to say - make sure you stay to watch Dreams which will start at park closing time - it's wonderful

WDWJonasGirl · Oct 11, 2015

Hi! I went to DLP in summer of 2013. I have been to WDW, Disneyland (California girl), and DLP.

-For the parks, there are two of them. Unfortunatley, when I was there, Indiana Jones and Crush's Coaster were closed :sad2:

I loved the following at Disneyland Paris:

-Space Mountain (LOVED this! Kind of like Rockin Roller Coaster)
-Alice maze as PP mentioned is awesome
-Star Tours is the old version
-It's a Small World is cool too
-RC Racer in Toy Story was fun too

The fastpasses are still the old way and Tower of Terror is different. Like the PP mentioned, make sure you watch Dreams.

lovexkate · Oct 13, 2015

Thanks everyone!!! I'll definitely check out those sites and your trip report!!!
And thanks to the kind stranger that bumped me. How nice of you, ma'am.

One more quick question- do they do birthday buttons there, and if they do how do I acquire one? I'll be going this coming Monday but my birthday is the following Sunday and my ticket was a birthday gift from my ever-wonderful mother, so I'd love to be able to celebrate!

goofy4tink · Oct 14, 2015

Gee, wonder who that 'ever-wonderful mother' could be??? pixiedust:

bibbidibobbidibecky · Oct 15, 2015

I'd say try to do Crush's Coaster (no Fastpass, so get there before park opens, they will let you in line), All of Fantasyland, Indiana Jones coaster, Remy, and Phantom Manor for sure!

I don't think they do buttons there at all. It's quite different than WDW, but that's what gives it charm. Expect the lines to be different ie, they are long for food and sometimes nonexistent for rides. Most people at the parks are English speakers, so most CM can speak English.

Best option for getting there is the RER. It's efficient and cheap!

Lastly, there is a link in my signature to my blog with my DLP trip report if you are interested. Hope this helps!

ExpatDisneyLover · Oct 15, 2015

I love Disney Parks worldwide and visit them often! As far as DLRP goes - the artistry is beautiful - very good imagineering and some attractions are really great like BTMRR, SM, SW. I would book some good table service meals or buffets and give counter service options a miss. I tend to not do "commando" park going at DLRP - rather just soak in the details.

petals · Oct 16, 2015

I'd go see things like Pinocchio, Animagique, Cinemagique (spelling?) the story book boats, crushes coaster, toy story playland, remy's area first because none of those are in Florida then go back to the stuff that both countries have

TinkinAbout · Nov 6, 2015

Here's my impressions... Hope this helps! http://tinkinaboutdisney.com/2015/11/06/tinks-tips-comparing-disneyland-paris-to-the-us-parks/

jsutton · Nov 13, 2015

Thanks for sharing! My Oldest son, daughter and I are planning a trip for the inaugural DLP races Sept.2016!

tink70 · Nov 27, 2015

TinkinAbout said:
Here's my impressions... Hope this helps! http://tinkinaboutdisney.com/2015/11/06/tinks-tips-comparing-disneyland-paris-to-the-us-parks/

I just read your report, and enjoyed it! Thank you! I was wondering though....how many days do you think is needed for these parks? I am thinking about going in july or august.

Jonjo · Nov 28, 2015

tink70 said:
I just read your report, and enjoyed it! Thank you! I was wondering though....how many days do you think is needed for these parks? I am thinking about going in july or august.

I would say three nights four days would allow you to have a comfortable trip without having to rush around.

American Newbie, Please Help!

lovexkate

Earning My Ears

goofy4tink

No tags...not needed! Transportation moderator

Ms Poppins

I'm sure I'm very affected by all this Disney talk

Ms Poppins

I'm sure I'm very affected by all this Disney talk

WDWJonasGirl

Mouseketeer/Directioner

lovexkate

Earning My Ears

goofy4tink

No tags...not needed! Transportation moderator

bibbidibobbidibecky

The Fairy Godblogger

ExpatDisneyLover

DIS Veteran

petals

Irish Princess because Cinderella said so!

TinkinAbout

Earning My Ears

jsutton

Earning My Ears

tink70

artistmarnie.com

Jonjo

Mouseketeer

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